Samantha Nicole, a yearling full sister to 2010 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra sold for $700,000 Nov. 7 in Lexington.Photo:
Anne M. Eberhardt

Samantha Nicole, a yearling full sister to 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra, has found a fitting new home with Barbara Banke’s Stonestreet Stables during the second session of the Keeneland November breeding stock sale.

“She doesn’t quite have the crazy eye that Rachel does,” Banke said. “She’s not totally perfect, but we liked a lot of what we saw. A lot of the pieces are there. She’s got a little sesamoiditis, so we’ll give her a little time up here and then on to Florida and we’ll see how she can do. We know the family very well.”

Samantha Nicole is out of the stakes-winning Roar mare Lotta Kim. Gainesway, agent for the Dolphus C. Morrison dispersal, consigned the bay yearling to the Keeneland auction.

“I did think it (the price) would be higher,” Banke said. “But I understand (why it wasn’t because) she has a little sesamoiditis and that tends to put people off. Obviously it would put me off, too, a little bit if I wasn’t so familiar with her full sister.”

Samantha Nicole will be broken at the Vinery Florida near Ocala.

“I’ve done well buying sisters,” Banke said. “I have Kauai Katie and Malibu Cougar, who are full sisters (by Malibu Moon). We’re trying to build families in our breeding operation and it’s hard to get those great pedigrees, so I’m excited.”